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Injection moulding is a complex system of machinery, fluid dynamics, and thermal conductivity. Let’s break the mould down into two simple parts, the heat exchanger and the pressure vessel, and review how they can impact overall part quality and dimensions.

Cracking of plastics components under impact was a major blow to the plastics industry in the early days. Today it is still a challenge for designers to select thermoplastics that will stand up to impact under service conditions.

Injection moulding is one of the most commonly used methods of producing identical plastic products in high volumes. However, as with every process, it is important to understand the specific design restrictions that must be adhered to in order to facilitate the obvious benefits of successfully producing cost-effective, high-quality parts.

From 3D Printing to CNC Machining, Vacuum Casting to Injection Moulding, the process options for plastic parts are limitless. Transitioning from prototyping to production can be a challenge, and it may be worth considering the long term requirements first.

Moldflow software allows the flow of plastic inside a mould tool during the injection moulding process to be analysed. The 3D CAD data generated during the design process can be used directly to determine the manufacturability of the part.

Most modern plastic processing companies will employ a preventative maintenance program. This will usually centre around the servicing of primary production equipment, conducted by skilled staff or the OEM service team.

Plunkett Associates’ experience takes us from low volume into hundreds of thousands, or put another way, container loads! We would be the first to acknowledge that we lack a track record of dealing in millions, a specialist area in its own right!

To assess solvent resistance, first consider solvents spread out on a polarity scale. Non-polar solvents are at one end, such as paraffin, petrol and diesel. At the other ‘highly polar’ end we find alcohols and water. In between are moderately polar solvents such as acetone, esters and chlorinated solvents.

In 1839, by inserting sulphur atoms as bridges between polymer chains, Charles Goodyear transformed Natural Rubber from an interesting curiosity into a superb engineering material that has had a huge impact on society.

One of the exciting attributes of polymers is that the properties of any polymer can be modified by tinkering with the basic molecular structure or incorporating a range of additives. However, you have to be aware that altering one property may have a knock-on effect on other properties.

Undoubtedly plastics have played a key role in the shaping of our modern society mainly due to their unique versatile, lightweight and cost-efficient properties. But, unlike other types of materials such as metals, recycling of plastics can be technically challenging.